Lilia Vu said that she burst into tears as soon as she heard about Solheim Cup teammate Ally Ewing's shock retirement.
Ewing surprised everyone when she announced her retirement from the professional game aged just 31 and on the back of that huge Solheim Cup success.
In a social media post, Ewing says that this season will be her last on the LPGA - following a career containing three wins on tour since turning pro in 2015.
Much of the shock comes from the form Ewing has shown this year, getting into the Solheim Cup team after three top 10s in the 2024 Majors.
And the news hit hard among her teammates from Stacy Lewis' Team USA side, with Lilia Vu saying that she was in tears immediately.
"Instant tears. I mean, I wasn't expecting it," Vu said of her response to Ewing's retirement post.
"I saw it on social media this morning. Obviously not trying to make it about me, but I just got so emotional. Then I hugged her today and was just bawling my eyes out. It's something you wouldn't expect.
"She's had such a great year, and I would love to spend more years out here with her. I'm very proud of her. She's like the best person to be around."
Ally Ewing will retire at the end of the season
Vu's emotions were still running high from the Solheim Cup after she captured the vital half a point at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club that sealed Team USA's victory.
"It was just surreal," Vu said of the winning moment. "I didn't think that it would come down to me for some reason; I didn't want it to. I think it's just like a lot of pressure.
"But it is what it is, and I just remember the feeling of being on 18 and looking at the leaderboard and knowing that if I walk away with a half point we win this whole thing.
"Yeah, I've always dreamed of being on a winning US Solheim Cup team. I have a picture on my wall at home of the 2017 team that won."
Ewing's decision to walk away from the professional game at the end of the year follows a similar move from another US Solheim Cup star, Lexi Thompson, who announced in May that she would retire at the end of the season.
-
Ras Al Khaimah Championship Prize Money Payout 2025The Ras Al Khaimah's total prize purse has remained consistent following last year's increase, with Thorbjorn Olesen defending his title at Al Hamra GC
-
Micah Morris Becomes Latest Golf Influencer To Announce New SponsorThe social media star revealed the news that he will be using Titleist equipment for the foreseeable future, after his deal with TaylorMade ended recently
-
Exclusive: Lydia Ko On Quitting Thoughts, Grand Slam Bid & Retirement PlansLydia Ko thought about hanging her clubs up in 2024 before her stunning turnaround - and now tells Golf Monthly she's eyeing the career Grand Slam before retiring
-
'I Said YES' - Lexi Thompson Announces EngagementJust over a month after ending her full-time career, Lexi Thompson has announced she got engaged on a New Year's trip to Whistler
-
'It Was The Stand-Out Tournament From Start To Finish' - Which Golf Event Was The Best This Year?There have been hundreds of tournaments played throughout 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team nominate their most entertaining events from the season
-
'It Was The Out-And-Out Shock Of The Year' - Which Moment In Golf Stood Out Above All Else?2024 has been a year of huge shocks on and off the golf course and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team have discussed which particular moment stood out to them
-
'The Hardest Category To Judge' - Who Recorded Golf's Round Of The Year?We've been treated to some excellent rounds in 2024 and, below, the Golf Monthly team have given their thoughts on which one they think was the best
-
The 12 Most Underrated Golf Seasons Of 2024Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda dominated men's and women's golf in 2024, but there were plenty of players who saw fine seasons go under the radar - we look at the pick of the bunch
-
10 Predictions Ahead Of The 2025 Golf SeasonWhat does the 2025 golfing calendar hold? As the new season gears up to its start, five Golf Monthly members lay out their predictions for the next 12 months
-
Who Showed 'A Will To Keep Fighting Through The Dark Times' In Golf's Comeback Of The Year?Golf has the capability to throw up some incredible comeback stories and, in 2024, we have seen a number of them throughout
